[bWn4h8QD]

I think the best answer is that an Amstaff and an APBT are NOT the same breed, they are complately different. So if you are looking for an Amstaff, also realize that the dogs are as individual as their breeders are! Each breeder strives to perfect the dog towards the breed standard (well they are supposed to) but each breeder also has personal preferences. Therefore a dog from one breeder will be different than the next. If I were looking to show conformation, I would definitely go with an AKC or UKC Amstaff. Good luck with your puppy.

[klubneras]

I think the best answer is that an Amstaff and an APBT are NOT the same breed, they are complately different. So if you are looking for an Amstaff, also realize that the dogs are as individual as their breeders are! Each breeder strives to perfect the dog towards the breed standard (well they are supposed to) but each breeder also has personal preferences. Therefore a dog from one breeder will be different than the next. If I were looking to show conformation, I would definitely go with an AKC or UKC Amstaff. Good luck with your puppy.

Good post.

The dog you are looking at getting is an AST in reality yet an "APBT" in theory thanks to dual registration.

If I were to get an AST, I would do so from a breeder that breeds to the old, original standard, that works their dog in some venue (obedience, Rally-O, etc.), and healthtests hips, elbows, and cardiac.

---------- Post added at 10:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 AM ----------

I checked the site. The dogs don't look bad; some look real nice. But I don't see any proof of their showing (no show pictures, etc.), they don't do anything else with the dogs, and there is no mention of health-testing. And I don't like that they say they breed for head type and all that. I want a breeder that doesn't breed solely for a specific head shape and whatnot. Remember, they may look great on the outside, but their skeletal system (hips, elbows, knees, etc.) can be a genetic mess.

[bestworkother]

A couple of the good ole boys in this area said....to get an ideal working dog (hunting and working by means of tracking, etc.) you go for the leaner ADBA dogs, and for the more "showy" and "prettier" dogs that are not as drivey, you go for the AKC/UKC types.

Who knows though?

[Cuccuccaltefe]

haha, reading the post tonight, I'm still not sure what I was going for.. I suppose more of a general statement. I know my pup is an "am staff" APBT, but I really like how they look, so I don't have any bones to pick with it. I suppose it'll just continue on like many other breeds, with the sporting dogs being very different in type from the conformation dogs.

thanks anyway for the thoughts!

Sorry, your pup is an American Staffordshire Terrier and not American Pit Bull Terrier.
I am not here to tooth pick you or your choice of the four-legged companion, but you should know what you are getting, different breeds have different temperament traits, and different standards.
Just to add, in the eye of a John Q your dog is a pit bull and whatever it is enjoy your companion.

Add some more, follow the advice given by Mia if you are going the breeder route.

[HitAttetlyTek]

Good post.

The dog you are looking at getting is an AST in reality yet an "APBT" in theory thanks to dual registration.

If I were to get an AST, I would do so from a breeder that breeds to the old, original standard, that works their dog in some venue (obedience, Rally-O, etc.), and healthtests hips, elbows, and cardiac.

---------- Post added at 10:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 AM ----------

I checked the site. The dogs don't look bad; some look real nice. But I don't see any proof of their showing (no show pictures, etc.), they don't do anything else with the dogs, and there is no mention of health-testing. And I don't like that they say they breed for head type and all that. I want a breeder that doesn't breed solely for a specific head shape and whatnot. Remember, they may look great on the outside, but their skeletal system (hips, elbows, knees, etc.) can be a genetic mess.

I spoke to the breeder about the lack of health testing. He still has Molly, his foundation bitch, and she's free of any skeletal or health problems, and she's 10 or so. He also stated (which I already knew from the OFA site) that Star, the sister of Sapphire, was tested and came out excellent. It's not exactly what I was looking for, but if I can meet all the dogs (he said I could) and feel comfortable with it all.. I think I'll go through with it. He hasn't updated the site since 08, so it's a bit hard to go off of, but he seems like his biggest interest is showing. When I go visit the kennels, I'll be sure to ask plenty more questions. Thanks!

---------- Post added at 08:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:24 PM ----------

oh, and as for the doubt on the showing, i found sites fro shows that t the dogs as winners. I don't doubt he's shown them.

[LongaDonga]

A couple of the good ole boys in this area said....to get an ideal working dog (hunting and working by means of tracking, etc.) you go for the leaner ADBA dogs, and for the more "showy" and "prettier" dogs that are not as drivey, you go for the AKC/UKC types. Who knows though?

This is the most popular opinion, but one of the fight craziest dogs I ever owned was a ADBA/UKC PR bitch which didn't have any true "game bred" dogs in her ped for 6 generations. She was mostly UKC show & ADBA pull dog bred. But she would fight at the drop of a hat & would have been dead game had I not been there to break up a fight. I also knew a UKC PR show bred dog who ended up being a 2xw. On the flip side of the coin I have also seen dog who had nothing but game bred ancestors who were ice cold & wouldn't hit a lick even to defend themselves. It just depends on the dog.

Blessings ...

[bestworkother]

And that's why I said "good ole boys" and "who knows though?" lol

A friend of mine has an American show line German Shepherd who is an active and certified Search and Rescue dog. According to popular opinion on those dogs, his dog should already be crippled and unable to walk 100 yards properly let alone track several miles and actually work

[HitAttetlyTek]

Well, as I'm looking for a pet as well as working companion, and I have other dogs, I feel the chances of getting a dog from this line that is high on the DA scale is pretty low. I want a dog that looks nice, and works nice, and is a great companion to myself, my hubby, and my daughter.

i feel that right now, I could not easily accomodate a highly DA dog, though we're moving to a farm in Indiana in january, so at that point, I'd be able to handle an ADBA APBT that's DA, with the extra room and kennels. At this point, I'll wind up with 5 dogs, 3 cats (and 7 foster kittens + their momma), and a cockatiel on a 1/4 acre lot. nice big yard that's fenced, but hard to separate dogs 100% of the time.

[HitAttetlyTek]

So.. I've posted on recently about the puppy I plan to buy. She's not concieved yet, but the mom's due to go into heat soon. Well, anyway, she's from Gaff lines mostly, which have previously been cross-registered AKC/UKC. They resemble the dogs which are taking best in breed in the UKC and AKC nowadays. There's so much debate over the differences between APBT and AST, and in the case of UKC and AKC.. they're really turning out quite similar in type.
here's some sites:
My pup's breeder (sire-boomer, dam-sapphire) http://delmarvakennels.com/index.htm

UKC top ten: United Kennel Club: Top Ten Standings - 2010

AKC top ten: http://www.akc.org/nationalchampions...e=conf&display

(you'll have to look up dogs individually)

I suppose that the conclusion I come to is that to get a gamey APBT, you'll need to look in the ADBA, while the AKC and UKC dogs have become very show-oriented. Of course, if I were to look up the different sports, I'm sure I could come up with some gamey dogs..

Personally, i like the look of the dogs in AKC UKC, and plan to show my pup in conformation, weightpull, agility, and even squirrel hunting . Whatever I can train her for, I will. I'll see just how far I can take the "pretty" dog.

Anyways.. once again, I think I lost my point, but feel free to comment!!

[Nzmoafzn]

I am pretty willing to place some faith in the people breeding and showing AKC/UKC and say that there are likely quite a few breeders that have game dogs they work. It will just be a matter of looking into individual breeders and asking. Lot of internet and phone work along with networking, but probably worth it.

[pageup85]

I suppose that the conclusion I come to is that to get a gamey APBT, you'll need to look in the ADBA, while the AKC and UKC dogs have become very show-oriented. Of course, if I were to look up the different sports, I'm sure I could come up with some gamey dogs.. I would say bollocks. The adba dogs seem leaner than the UKC that I have seen but that in no way is a measure how much game a dog has. The dogs I have seen in person from local breeders have often not held as natural condition but been as game as any I could find around the world. Some of the really naturally conditioned dogs, I suspect would be quiters.

[HitAttetlyTek]

i apologize.. by "gamey", I meant their looks, not their gameness.

[DagoIgnog]

I'm not sure what you are asking LOL... UKC and AKC.. they're really turning out quite similar in type. That would depend on the breeder/bloodlines and the goals of their breeding program and what stabdard they are following IMO....
The reason you see a lot of UKC dogs resembling AmStaffs is because many are dual registered or have that type of dog behind them... Let me add though that not all UKC dogs look like AmStaffs. remember there are also ADBA/UKC registered dogs as well as UKC dogs that stay true to the APBT standard.
I hope that clarifies things better for you. Good luck in your decision about getting a pup. You are the one that has to be happy with whatever type you choose to get.

[Cuccuccaltefe]

looks like you are getting an AmStaff.
Remember these dogs are the closest relative to APBT, 70+ years ago it was the same breed. Some people will argue with you and me that AmStaff and APBT are the same dog - they are not they are two different breeds, when you start breeding out the quality that made the original breed what it was you are creating a different breed.

[HitAttetlyTek]

haha, reading the post tonight, I'm still not sure what I was going for.. I suppose more of a general statement. I know my pup is an "am staff" APBT, but I really like how they look, so I don't have any bones to pick with it. I suppose it'll just continue on like many other breeds, with the sporting dogs being very different in type from the conformation dogs.

thanks anyway for the thoughts!